The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a La Jolla-based non-profit dedicated to providing opportunities for physically-challenged people that organizes the San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC), has confirmed to La Jolla Light its decision to move the swim leg of the triathlon from La Jolla Cove to La Jolla Shores, one day prior to the rest of the event.

The reason behind the move is the standing beach water quality advisory at The Cove issued by San Diego County in September for the presence of bacteria concentrations.

The swim leg of the competition, which has taken place at La Jolla Cove for more than 20 years, will be held 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at La Jolla Shores. The race will resume on Sunday, Oct. 23, with the start of the biking leg at La Jolla Cove, followed 10-mile run.

The triathlon swim was the only activity of the weekend fundraiser where participants would be in contact with the waters at The Cove. The rest of activities are scheduled at the Village beach and adjacent Scripps Park will remain in place, like the YMCA Tour de Cove “Spinathon.”

A ‘Water Contact Advisory Warning’ has been issued by the County of San Diego’s Department of Environmental Health at La Jolla Cove and it is expected to stay in effect through the San Diego Triathlon Challenge. The Department of Health advises beach users to avoid contact with ocean waters where advisory warning signs are posted due to high bacterial levels. Therefore, we have made the decision to move the swim portion of SDTC to La Jolla Shores on Saturday, October 22, at 7:30am. This change is implemented so that participants will avoid contact with the ocean waters at La Jolla Cove.

Please note that the bike and run portions of the triathlon, as well as the remainder of activities surrounding SDTC, will proceed on Sunday, October 23rd. Please visit the CAF website to see the time changes to the event schedule for the weekend- http://www.challengedathletes.org/events/sdtc/